Message from the UEA President - David Kenewell
Dear UEA Members:
Thanks for everyone’s help last week. We have held off the $218 cut per student so far, but the fight is not over.... Things will heat up again over the next two weeks. I want you all to know, your MEA Lobbyists have been in the Capitol Building lobbying for all of us whenever the legislature has been in session. Curt Lange, Joyce Lalonde, and I witnessed the 19 hour days. All three of us will be back in Lansing Tuesday through Thursday this week. If it wasn't for the efforts of the MEA, we would be feeling the hit by now. Continue to give them your support with calls and emails to your senators and representatives. The following reps need to hear from all of us since they have consistently voted for the cuts and do not want to hear any suggestions about revenue enhancements for anything, including public education.Marty Knollenburg (R) (Troy area)
Peter Lund (R) (Shelby Township)
Kim Meltzer (R ) (Clinton Twp)
Interestingly, these three changed their votes after it was clear the vote was going to be a NO vote on the budget.Mickey Switalski and Alan Sanborn (State Senators) are NOT with us. Neither of them supported us on the MESSA vote two years ago.
Torry Rocca has been very supportive and deserves our thanks. He is taking the heat from the Republican leadership and from Dillon.
Reps Fred Miller, Jennifer Haase, Sarah Roberts, Lesia Liss, Jon Switalski, Harold Haugh, & Marie Donigan in our area as well as Senator Dennis Olshove worked tirelessly on our behalf.Thank you for your lobbying efforts from home. It is critical to watch the communications from MEA.
David